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AAP
AAP
National
Ethan James

More people join Tasmania detention centre class action

Dozens more people are set to join a class action lawsuit alleging sexual and physical abuse at Tasmania's troubled Ashley Youth Detention Centre.

The legal action against the state of Tasmania, which commenced in August on behalf of more than 100 former detainees, was mentioned in the Supreme Court of Tasmania on Friday.

The claims of abuse and mistreatment at the facility in the northwest span from 1961 to 2019.

It is alleged detainees, who are suing for negligence, were strip searched naked by centre staff, who also used isolation and beatings as punishment tools.

Lawyer representing the plaintiffs, Lachlan Armstrong KC, told the court a further 33 people had come forward to be included in the class action and more may still join.

Lawyer representing the state, Trevor Moses, said there was a lack of particulars in parts of the plaintiffs' statement of claim, which is headed by four former detainees.

He said the state was unable to evaluate what records should be disclosed as part of the court process.

Mr Armstrong said the state needed to provide files to allow the four main plaintiffs, who were teenagers at the time, to refresh their memory and provide greater details.

Justice Michael Brett gave the parties 21 days to sort out the issue, and adjourned the matter indefinitely.

The state has filed a defence which denies some of the specifics in the four main plaintiffs' claims and that physical force was used as a punishment.

One of the main plaintiffs alleges when he refused to perform oral sex on a staff member he was punched and knocked out by other workers.

The state government in September 2021 announced the centre would close within three years.

It has previously said all current detainees are in a safe environment and there are no better alternatives available to house them.

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